I doubt the wife will approve the money needed to get a partition that can mount a sub, though it is quite a good idea!
Sound quality - what are my options?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Lake Mary FL
Sound quality - what are my options?
Ok, a couple of weeks ago I installed an aftermarket sound system (which sounds great). Components in the front, sub in the rear, 2 channel amp for each.
Now I have a dilemna. Before I installed the sound system I had installed a rear partition on my Z06 - the reason for this was I have a Borla Stinger exhaust, which sounds great, but resonates like hell in the cabin. I had forgot how bad the resonation was without it until I drove the car the last week with it out. I get a headache almost every time I drive now.
So I figured, I'll just stick the partition back in and solve the problem. Well, it certainly did solve that problem - but then the new problem was I couldn't hear any bass in my music at all. The partition worked so well the sub behind it couldn't break through! If I turned the sub up loud enough I could feel it in my seat but the bass itself wasn't audibly noticeable (enough at least).
So what are my options here? Pulling up the carpet and sound deadening the entire rear area? Will that actually help against the exhaust resonation? I'm trying to avoid option D) Replace exhaust, as I love the sound of the Borla Stingers (especially from outside the car) I just can't handle the resonation.
Any input would be appreciated!
Now I have a dilemna. Before I installed the sound system I had installed a rear partition on my Z06 - the reason for this was I have a Borla Stinger exhaust, which sounds great, but resonates like hell in the cabin. I had forgot how bad the resonation was without it until I drove the car the last week with it out. I get a headache almost every time I drive now.
So I figured, I'll just stick the partition back in and solve the problem. Well, it certainly did solve that problem - but then the new problem was I couldn't hear any bass in my music at all. The partition worked so well the sub behind it couldn't break through! If I turned the sub up loud enough I could feel it in my seat but the bass itself wasn't audibly noticeable (enough at least).
So what are my options here? Pulling up the carpet and sound deadening the entire rear area? Will that actually help against the exhaust resonation? I'm trying to avoid option D) Replace exhaust, as I love the sound of the Borla Stingers (especially from outside the car) I just can't handle the resonation.
Any input would be appreciated!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Lake Mary FL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,289
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From: Skippack PA
St Jude Donor '13
Worth a trip to talk to somebody that's handy with a welder.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Lake Mary FL
Hmmm thats an interesting idea. However, I guess I shouldn't call it resonance. Its more like just a "drone". Ie: the sound resonates specifically in the cabin at a consistent level that gives me a headache.
However, I was planning on doing an x-pipe at some point anyway, maybe I'll look into that.
However, I was planning on doing an x-pipe at some point anyway, maybe I'll look into that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,201
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From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
i have a partition in my z as well. but it doesn't block that much bass for me. Bass gets through just fine. Ive got the stingers too with headers and x pipe and my bass comes through fine. maybe the xpipe will help
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,394
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From: Bay Area CA
Like scott asked your crossover settings may have a lot to do with it. Where are the gains at on the amps? Which amps are you running? What front components and which sub are you running, and at what ohm load?
I have a feeling the front amp gain is too high which is causing the bass to not blend well with the front. I personally have a partition and a cover over my sub with the gain at about 5% and have decent bass on only 250w or so.
I think some tuning will solve your issue and allow you to maintain your partition.
Fej
I have a feeling the front amp gain is too high which is causing the bass to not blend well with the front. I personally have a partition and a cover over my sub with the gain at about 5% and have decent bass on only 250w or so.
I think some tuning will solve your issue and allow you to maintain your partition.
Fej
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 324
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From: Lake Mary FL
Thanks for the help so far guys.
Both amps are at the minimum gain they will go. If I don't have the partition installed the bass is very loud at 0 db modification on the head unit. I actually turn the sub down to -4db on the HU when the partition is out which makes it just about right. WIth the partition in the bass sound/sensation goes away a lot, though its possible turning up the gain on the amp will remedy the situation.
The front crossovers are set to -3db (the only options are 0 and -3). The system is Elemental Designs 6000s v.2 front components, Elemental Designs 10" 11Ov.2 sub, and 2 Elemental Designs Nine.2 amps.
Both amps are at the minimum gain they will go. If I don't have the partition installed the bass is very loud at 0 db modification on the head unit. I actually turn the sub down to -4db on the HU when the partition is out which makes it just about right. WIth the partition in the bass sound/sensation goes away a lot, though its possible turning up the gain on the amp will remedy the situation.
The front crossovers are set to -3db (the only options are 0 and -3). The system is Elemental Designs 6000s v.2 front components, Elemental Designs 10" 11Ov.2 sub, and 2 Elemental Designs Nine.2 amps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
cool, that sounds right. That bastard told me to put mine there too. 
Just up the gain on the sub ch and you'll be fine. Thats what i did and it worked fine. moving it a 1/4 should be enough
Just up the gain on the sub ch and you'll be fine. Thats what i did and it worked fine. moving it a 1/4 should be enough
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,394
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
I agree with what has been said. What level on the HU gets "loud" to you? Which HU are you running currently?
I would say add about 15% gain to your sub and listen to it both while sitting AND while driving. Bass loses some output while driving in my experience .. how measureable I cannot say.
I think a little gain work and some listening will get you squared away.
Fej
I would say add about 15% gain to your sub and listen to it both while sitting AND while driving. Bass loses some output while driving in my experience .. how measureable I cannot say.
I think a little gain work and some listening will get you squared away.
Fej
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 324
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From: Lake Mary FL
Just as an update/reply, the level on the HU that is "loud" to me, is probably 48 with the SQ set to "powerful" (higher bass and treble), or 52 with it set to flat. The max on the HU is 60.
Someone told me I should try to set the gain on the amps so that everything sounds where I want it at 30. Is this true?
Mike
Someone told me I should try to set the gain on the amps so that everything sounds where I want it at 30. Is this true?
Mike
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
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From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
this is s good idea. you could build a simple box style sub box behind the partition and cut a hole in the partition for the sub. If you're felig exceptionally hands-on. you can even bild a ported enclosure for better low end bass response.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,201
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From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
Just as an update/reply, the level on the HU that is "loud" to me, is probably 48 with the SQ set to "powerful" (higher bass and treble), or 52 with it set to flat. The max on the HU is 60.
Someone told me I should try to set the gain on the amps so that everything sounds where I want it at 30. Is this true?
Mike
Someone told me I should try to set the gain on the amps so that everything sounds where I want it at 30. Is this true?
Mike
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Lake Mary FL
The SQ isn't the bass boost. Its just a 16 band graphic equalizer. Setting it to the pre-set "Powerful" just turns up the EQ on certain levels, the bass area (but not the lowest end of the bass area) and the treble area (but not the highest end of the treble area). I've found that for the type of music I typically listen to (Rock), it really enhances the sound and the ability to hear certain instruments that would otherwise be unnoticeable.
On a side note, how do I tell when/if my sub is bottoming out. I just turned the gain up on the sub amp as well as setting the sub on the HU to "+6" and its almost at the right level now with the partition in (maybe a little higher). The only problem is I have no clue if I'm bottoming the sub out or if its bad for the sub or what. If I listen with my ear close to the partition the sub sounds a lot more "hollow" at this volume level than it did w/o the partition and the gain all the way down, so I wasn't sure if that meant it was bottoming out or something.
Thanks for the help so far guys!
On a side note, how do I tell when/if my sub is bottoming out. I just turned the gain up on the sub amp as well as setting the sub on the HU to "+6" and its almost at the right level now with the partition in (maybe a little higher). The only problem is I have no clue if I'm bottoming the sub out or if its bad for the sub or what. If I listen with my ear close to the partition the sub sounds a lot more "hollow" at this volume level than it did w/o the partition and the gain all the way down, so I wasn't sure if that meant it was bottoming out or something.
Thanks for the help so far guys!